10 Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Essaouira + Secret Local Tips

Looking for the all-time best vegetarian restaurants in Essaouira? Well, don’t worry because this guide has got you covered.

Not only do I live in Essaouira (and have been there on and off since January 2023) but my partner is Moroccan. He is also one of those weird Moroccans who is vegetarian and basically doesn’t eat anything.

Yeah, you name it and he probably doesn’t eat it. This means that we have had to do A LOT of research on where to eat in Essaouira as a vegetarian.

The good news is that MOST Moroccan restaurants have at least one vegetarian dish. So, whether it’s couscous, tajine, or pastilla, you’ll probably be able to find a vegetarian version of your fave Moroccan cuisine.

Therefore, do NOT panic. You will find plenty to eat. In fact, other Moroccan foods that are naturally vegetarian are zaalouk, beghrir, amlou, harcha, msemen, harira, loubia, bissara, Berber omelet, etc.

Seriously the list goes on and on and since many Moroccan foods are naturally meat-free.

But, if you’re looking for restaurants that serve really good food and that have a wide variety of awesome vegetarian options then this post is for you.

My partner is super picky and we only go to the BEST places to eat. Plus, Essaouira is VERY Westernized.

So, you should have no problem finding meat-free cuisine since many of the best restaurants in Essaouira cater to tourists and their dietary needs.

Therefore, don’t stress and enjoy all of the amazing veggie cuisine Essaouira has to offer.

Added bonus? Your riad in Essaouira will probably serve an amazing meat-free breakfast that includes things like msemen, beghrir, harcha, omelets, fruit, bread, etc.

It’s typically included with your booking and is a great way to start the day. Now, let’s look at some of the great places to eat in Essaouira as a vegetarian.

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1. Mandala Society

This restaurant is one of my fave veggie spots in Essaouira for a couple of reasons. First of all, they have a ton of veggie-friendly options that are marked as vegan/vegetarian-friendly on the menu.

So, it’s REALLY easy to find exactly what you’re looking for whether you’re a vegetarian or vegan.

Secondly, the food is really good. We like to stop by for brunch (it’s served until 12:00 pm).

I typically get the Farm Egg Toast (kind of like an omelet with a side of avocado toast) while my partner gets the banana bread with chocolate and amlou.

Both are amazing but the banana bread is epic, as is the coffee. Seriously, they serve some of the best coffee in Essaouira It also comes in giant mugs so you definitely won’t run out.

I have also had the vegan buddha bowl which was good and the Mediterranean Falafel which was not so good.

But, overall, this is a great little spot on the main road in the Medina. The food is delish and the decor is super cozy, making this feel like a cafe in Essaouira that you really want to hang out in.

Just be aware that they are cash only and that the restaurant is small. So, it will get PACKED at peak times and you may want to make a reservation. Also, be sure to exchange money in Morocco before you visit.

However, this is a great spot for anyone who is gluten-free in Essaouira or vegan in Essaouira since they have a lot of options.

2. Le Corail Vegan Food

Alright, there are two totally vegan restaurants in the Essaouira Medina. In fact, they sit right next to each other in this small square. One is listed above and the other is Shyadma’s Vegan Food.

I am gonna review them together because I have the same thoughts about both of them.

So, the food at both was good. It wasn’t awful but it wasn’t the best food I have ever had. I know my partner had falafel at both places and liked the falafel at Shyadma’s Vegan Food better.

I had the chickpea tajine at Le Corail Vegan Food and thought that was better than the tajine at Shyadma’s Vegan Food.

Additionally, the last time we ate at Shyadma’s Vegan Food we had to wait over two hours for our food. It was ridiculous and I quite literally almost walked out. My partner was able to talk me down but I was super annoyed.

Anyway, I think the food quality is the same at both restaurants. I also think that they are a good option if you want TONS of vegetarian options to choose from.

However, I think these vegan restaurants in Essaouira are a bit over-priced. I think you pay more because it is a “vegan” restaurant.

The reality is that most restaurants in Essaouira have vegan options on the menu. There may not be a TON of them but vegetarian tajine and couscous are both vegan-friendly.

So, it really depends on you. I don’t think I would go back but it may be a good option if you’re sick of eating couscous and tajine for dinner.

3. Triskala

I recently stopped by Triskala with some friends and I was surprised by how much I loved the food here. It’s not a strictly vegetarian restaurant but they do have a few solid vegetarian entrees.

My friend ordered the falafel plate and loved it. I ordered the Rfissa with lentils. TBH, it was really good but it was not Rfissa.

It was made with the same noodles that are used in Seffa. But, rather than putting cinnamon, sugar, and almonds on top they put cooked lentils and carrots on top of the noodles.

It was really good but just not what I was expecting. However, I did like that the dish was quite unique and not the same vegetarian couscous and tajine that you find in every other Moroccan restaurant.

The staff were also nice and the decor was lovely. Overall, I liked this place so much that I told my boyfriend I was going to drag him here. I also think this is definitely one of the better vegetarian restaurants that I have been to in Essaouira.

Just be aware that they close in the middle of the day. So, they are open for lunch from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm and for dinner from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm. Yeah, we showed up too early and had to wait. LOL.

4. Al Jazira – Petit Dejeuner Beldi

Looking for excellent vegetarian cuisine and want to try authentic Moroccan food too? If so then head to Al Jazira.

It’s a local breakfast joint in Essaouira that overlooks the beach and that serves mint tea, omelets, batbout with olive oil, bissara, harira, etc.

TBH though I can never bring myself to order harira first thing in the morning. I love chickpea soup but not for breakfast. LOL.

Anyway, this place is nothing fancy but the food is delicious. In fact, this place is SO popular that they start to run out of food by 11:00 am.

So, it’s a good idea to get up early(ish) and order some homemade batbout before they run out. It’s also ALWAYS packed. Therefore, be prepared to wait for a table and for the service to be JUST okay.

When we visit, we usually order the cheese omelet and the Batbout (a round Moroccan bread) with oil. They also SAY they have msemen on the menu but when we tried to order it they said they don’t sell it anymore (sobs in the corner).

.Added bonus? Everything here is cheap. I think the most expensive item on the menu is an omelet for 15 Dirhams ($1.50).

Overall, this is one of my fave restaurants in Essaouira if you want to try AUTHENTIC Moroccan cuisine. So, even if you’re riad serves breakfast, I would stop by once to try a REAL Moroccan breakfast.

Local Tip: Want some msemen? If so then the best place is Chez Miloud. This small restaurant sits inside the Medina and serves some of the best msemen in Essaouira #FACTS.

5. Le Palazzo

Not gonna lie, when we first visited this new restaurant in Essaouira I kind of thought I was gonna hate it.

The menu just looked expensive and very Westernized. So, my initial impression was that this was going to be a pretentious restaurant for bougie white people.

Well, thankfully I was wrong. We climbed the stairs to the top and found beautiful, modern decor on a fabulous rooftop that overlooks the ocean. Seriously, the views are very swoon-worthy and make you want to stay here for a while.

However, the real highlight of our visit was the food. I enjoyed my burrata, which came with lots of yummy red peppers, while my partner gobbled up his falafel (Sense a theme here? All he eats is falafel. LOL).

We liked the service and would happily come back. Just be prepared for high prices since you pay for the ambiance as well as the food.

We ordered two appetizers and they cost between 70 Dirhams and 90 Dirhams, which is VERY expensive for Morocco.

6. Beach and Friends

Located right on the beach, this is a great place to go if you want to sit on a comfy couch, look out at Main Beach in Essaouira, and enjoy delish veggie-friendly dishes like their awesome veggie burger.

It was really well-prepared and I loved biting into the fresh bun. It also came with a nice side of fried potatoes and grilled veggies.

Just be prepared to spend a bit of money here since the veggie burger costs around 100 Dirhams ($10.00). However, I like that they have a TON of veggie options to choose from.

You could get salads, pizza, desserts, and more. So, there is really something for everyone on their menu.

TBH, I don’t think it’s my all-time fave veggie restaurant in Essaouira since the food is good but not epic. However, you can’t beat the views and it’s nice to get away from the Medina and dine at the other end of the bunch near all the camels.

This is also a great place to spend the evening in Essaouira since the dance floor comes alive with strobe lights and music.

7. Fish Burger

I know it’s a bit weird that I’m recommending a fish restaurant as one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Essaouira. But, give me a second to explain.

See, this low-key little burger spot sits right along the main street in the Medina and serves some pretty epic burgers to order.

Most of those burgers contain fish, but the eggplant burger does not and is AMAZING. I came here with a friend and basically gobbled my burger up.

The eggplant was crispy, VERY well-cooked, and sat on a super fresh bun with lettuce and cheese. I also loved the patatas bravas on the side and couldn’t get enough of the flavorful dipping sauce.

For my burger, drink, and side I paid 80 Dirhams ($8.00) and was very happy with my meal. So much so that I keep coming back.

However, they also serve a nice Guacamole Veggie Crostini if you’re not really into eggplant. TBH, my partner hates eggplant and I couldn’t pay him enough to eat that burger.

8. Picknick Cafe

So, as you can probably already tell we are BIG breakfast fans. That’s why we love coming to Picknick Cafe. Basically, you can order brunch in Essaouira up until they close.

And that’s exactly what we did. I ordered the Moroccan breakfast (with msemen, baghrir, hercha, jben, butter, jam, amlou, and olives) and my partner ordered the Biscoff pancakes at like 5:00 pm. LOL. FYI, you can get French toast too.

Anyway, we have since gone back and ordered the falafel as well as the Shakshuka. I actually really liked my Shakshuka since it was super flavorful and came with some lovely sides.

Not surprisingly, my partner wasn’t overly fond of the falafel and probably wouldn’t order it again.

Overall, though, the food is good. I think I like the food and coffee at Mandala Society better but this place is still good and has a ton of veggie dishes to choose from.

It’s also not super expensive and you should expect to pay around 80 Dirhams ($8.00) for an entree.

9. Azouka Eatery

What’s not to love about Azouka Eatery? Not only is the food AMAZING but the decor is epic.

When you step inside, you feel like you’re dining in this historic riad since all of the tables are sitting around a lovely courtyard with blue and white accents and lots of potted plants.

The staff are also very warm and welcoming and make you feel like you are part of their family.

Then there is the food. First of all, the sourdough bread is delicious and I honestly would stop by just for that.

However, the actual menu has a ton of veggie options to choose from like Rye Sourdough Focaccia, Sourdough Msemen with melted brie/lemon zest, and Zaalouk.

It’s all fresh and delicious and packed with flavor. Honestly, this is one of the few places where I kept eating even though I really wasn’t hungry.

I also like that the dishes are super imaginative and unlike other options you’ll find in the Medina. So, if you are OVER tajine then this is a great place to go.

Also, don’t forget to save room for dessert since they serve some really epic oat cookies as well.

Afterward, stop by their record store and do a bit of shopping in Essaouira before you continue walking around the Medina.

10. La Famille

Tired of having tajine every single night? If so, head over to La Famille. Originally from Marrakech, this fantastic eatery has now come to Essaouira.

The interior exudes a cozy, country-chic charm, inviting you to dine at a large communal table—meaning you’ll be sharing your meal with a group of strangers.

It might feel a bit awkward at first, but it’s a great opportunity to meet new people while browsing the small yet delicious menu.

And when I say “small,” I mean it—expect a selection of just a few dishes, typically including a pasta, a salad, an appetizer, a flatbread, and some desserts.

But what La Famille lacks in variety, it makes up for in quality, offering Mediterranean-inspired vegetarian dishes made with the freshest ingredients.

On my last visit, I ordered the flatbread, which, to my surprise, was made with Batbout instead of traditional flatbread. Despite the unexpected twist, it was fresh, flavorful, and delicious.

All in all, I’d happily return and highly recommend giving this place the next time you are in Essaouira.

Map of the Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Essaouira

Conclusion

That wraps up this guide to the best vegetarian restaurants in Essaouira. I hope you found my tips useful and feel a little better about being a vegetarian in Essaouira and spending the day in Essaouira.

Trust me, it is not that bad and there are usually plenty of veggie options on the menu. I mean, worst case scenario you could always order an omelet or a Berber Omlet (kind of like Shakshuka) since they are everywhere in Essaouira.

However, if you use this local guide then you will have no problems and will enjoy lots of great meals in Essaouira.

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